Cincinnati Cyclones Announce Coaching Change
April 23, 2025 - ECHL (ECHL)
Cincinnati Cyclones News Release
Cincinnati, Ohio - The Cincinnati Cyclones today announced that Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jason Payne and Assistant Coach Chad MacLeod have been relieved of their duties, effective immediately.
"We want to thank Jason and Chad for their tireless efforts and dedication to our organization," said Cyclones Vice President & General Manager Kristin Ropp. "Jason has made a lasting impact not only on the pro level but on the youth hockey side since joining the team in 2018. After careful consideration, we've made the extremely difficult decision to go in a different direction with our Hockey Operations pairing behind the bench."
Payne spent four seasons as the Cyclones Head Coach amassing a 143-114-31 record. His best season at the helm was the 2022-2023 season that saw the Cyclones go 47-16-9 before being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
The Toronto native joined the Cyclones prior to the 2018 season as an Assistant Coach under then Head Coach Matt Thomas. Previously, Payne held several different roles in the OJHL serving as scout, skills coach, skating coach, head coach and general manager.
Payne played professional hockey spanning 14 years with stints in the IHL, AHL, UHL and ECHL.
The search for the team's next head coach will begin immediately.
• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...
ECHL Stories from April 23, 2025
- Tickets on Sale Now for Stingrays vs Solar Bears Game Six Sunday Night - South Carolina Stingrays
- Malmström Gives Blades Third Straight OT Win - Florida Everblades
- Backs to Wall for Nailers After Game Three - Wheeling Nailers
- Admirals Score Five; Take Commanding Series Lead over Wheeling - Norfolk Admirals
- Lions Sweep Royals, Advance to Second Round for the First Time in Franchise History - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- ECHL Transactions - April 23 - ECHL
- Kansas City's Nick Potter Named Warrior Hockey ECHL Athletic Trainer of the Year - Kansas City Mavericks
- Kansas City's Potter Named Warrior Hockey/ECHL Athletic Trainer of the Year - ECHL
- Cincinnati Cyclones Announce Coaching Change - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Fort Wayne's Garver Named Warrior Hockey ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year - Fort Wayne Komets
- Fort Wayne's Garver Named Warrior Hockey/ECHL Equipment Manager of the Year - ECHL
- Game Day - Round 1, Game #4 - Trois-Rivières Lions vs. Reading Royals - Trois-Rivieres Lions
- Mavericks Down Oilers 5-1 in Game 3 to Take 2-1 Series Lead - Kansas City Mavericks
- Heartlanders Win in Double Overtime, 3-2, Tying Series at Two - Iowa Heartlanders
- Fuel Close out Record Breaking Season with a Hard Fought Battle against Toledo - Indy Fuel
- Komets Fall in Double OT 3-2 - Fort Wayne Komets
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Cincinnati Cyclones Stories
- Cincinnati Cyclones Announce Coaching Change
- Cyclones Close Out The Season With 5-2 Over The Heartlanders
- Cyclones Fall to Heartlanders 4-3 in Overtime
- Cyclones Score Four Unanswered to Defeat the Heartlanders 4-2
- Defenseman Chas Sharpe Named to 2024-25 ECHL All-Rookie Team
